The IWU Jazz Festival was begun in 1976 to encourage junior high and high school ensembles to upgrade the level of jazz they offer at their schools by participating in a non-competitive festival. 

Only proven, exceptional jazz educators are hired to adjudicate at the IWU Jazz Festival.  The comments received from the adjudicators about the performance are important, but the most important aspect is the separate clinic with one of the outstanding clinicians like Chip Stevens or Ed Calle or Steve Wiest.  They also get to sit at the feet of these jazz masters in separate clinics about their instruments which, it is hoped, will assist each student's overall playing abilities.

In it’s 38th year of operation the IWU Jazz Festival hopes to welcome ensembles from all over the Midwest and beyond for a day of education, performance, and fun!

REGISTRATION FORM

Guest Artist, GREG GISBERT

Fiery, honest, and maniacally talented, Greg Gisbert hit the national jazz scene at an early age and seems to have been on the road ever since. He ventured forth from his childhood home in Denver to attend Berklee, but soon found himself wandering around a tour bus dodging insults from Buddy Rich. He eventually settled in New York, and over the years has been an integral player with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Horace Silver, Maynard Ferguson, Bobby Shew, Maria Schneider, John Fedchok, and the Smithsonian, Carnegie Hall, and Vanguard Big Bands. In addition to also recording with most of these groups, Greg also has three CD’s out as a leader on the Criss Cross label, with such notable sidemen as Billy Drummond, Chris Potter, and Gregory Hutchinson.